Page 65 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
Damien shrugged. "Anything is possible if you try hard enough."
Jesse's eyes scanned the blinking scoreboard, taking note of the time. Charlotte's competition must be underway already. He'd meant to text her good luck, but part of him hoped she'd wake up and decide figure skating wasn't for her.
Finally, his eyes settled on Damien as he took in his words. "You have a plan, don't you?"
"Well... my dad and I work on cars together. I can disable one just as quickly as I can fix it."
"I don't understand." Roman glanced between them.
But Jesse understood. A smile slid across his face. "You can really do it?"
Damien shrugged. "Well... yeah."
"You do realize this means you'll have to play on the second line tonight—if we manage to convince Charlie to play."
"We're more likely to beat Venice with two capable lines, aren't we?"
Jesse gripped his shoulder. "Damien Lee, I take back all the awful things I've thought about you. And I am suddenly very glad you were able to come back from injury quickly."
"Wait... why have... you know what? Never mind."
"Good choice." Roman chuckled. "I still have no clue what's going on, but yay for teamwork." He waved his fists like pom poms.
Jesse shoved him back. "We have some time. Don't think you're getting out of your morning skate."
Roman saluted him. "Aye aye, Captain!"
"Jesse, look!" Will shouted down the ice. "I'm you!" He picked up speed, cutting across the ice, before flying backward and landing on his butt with a giggle.
Jesse pumped his legs to catch him, but Will hopped up and skated away. "I'll show you a falling hockey player." He laughed as he caught up with his brother and hooked him around the waist, lifting him into the air.
Will cackled as Jesse carried him across the ice. "Carrigan comes in for the shot." He set his brother down. "He shoots! He scores!" He pushed his brother into the net, both of them laughing.
"Do you believe in miracles?" Will grinned.
Eli bent over in laughter, only stopped when Jesse started chasing him. Roman and Damien joined in the game.
It was much better than their normal skating drills. At least this way, they could enjoy the ice they loved so much.
* * *
The entire Gulf CityHigh hockey team sat in the living room of the Morrison house, waiting for their coach to kick them out.
Jesse scanned the faces of his teammates, thankful each one answered his call. He looked back down at his phone, trying to keep track of the skating competition. Charlotte hadn't done her short program yet, but she was up soon.
Coach stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed his team. They'd ambushed him when he went home for lunch, refusing to leave.
"Would the team captain like to tell me what's going on?"
Jesse slid his phone into the pocket of his jeans and stood to face the man who could ruin their entire plan. If he said no, they'd have to listen to him. Not only was he their coach, but Charlotte was his daughter.
Jesse sucked in a long breath before releasing it. "It was Damien's fault."
"Hey!" Damien jumped from his seat on the floor.
Roman nodded. "It was. It really really was."
Jesse shared a grin with his friend.
